I hope you are well. I wanted to send across a copy of our press release from our client DPF Clean team which we thought would be of interest to your publication.
DPF clean team has taken a look back over their work during 2015 and discovered that customers are using a range of bizarre methods customer have used to resolve diesel particulate filters (DPF). Some of the most striking methods include setting fire to the unit, jet washing the filter and even pouring oven cleaner down the DPF.
While these methods seem amusing, the impact of using such methods, result in serious damage, harming the interior and making regeneration impossible with DPF units often having to be replaced. DPF are encouraging vehicle owners to seek professional advice, there are a number of professional cleaning methods available offering safe, accurate and cost effective cleaning, ultrasonic cleaning methods is ten times cheaper than having to pay for a new DPF filter.
In addition to the press release we also have an infographic from DPF Clean team which examines the various methods customers have used and the damage this could cause.
If you would like more information or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
PRESS RELEASE
Release date: 22ndMarch 2015
Drivers pouring petrol, paint thinner and oven cleaner down blocked DPFs
Petrol, oven cleaner and paint thinner are some of the most bizarre ways fleet managers, garage owners and diesel vehicle owners attempted to resolve blocked diesel particulate filters (DPF) during 2015, according to DPF Clean Team.
The automotive reconditioning expert dived into the call history for its blocked DPF helpline for last year to find some of the most bizarre methods customers have used to try and unblock their DPFs, catalytic converters and silencer units. Other peculiar - and failed - attempts at unblocking DPFs from customers included jet washing the filter, setting fire to the unit and even pouring oven cleaner down the DPF.
As amusing as these methods might seem, such practices are only serving to further damage DPFs, making regeneration impossible, and significantly harming the interior of the filter.
Cameron Bryce, Director at DPF Clean Team, a business that has over 15 years' experience in the automotive reconditioning industry, explained: "Once a DPF warning light appears on your dashboard, the worst thing you can do is pour any kind of treatment into the filter. Substances such as drain cleaner can remove the interior coating of the filter, stopping future regenerations from working effectively. The result in many of these cases is that the customer has required a complete DPF replacement, which has been more expensive that a professional clean. "
One of the easiest ways to unblock a blocked DPF is to perform a regeneration of the filter. This can be done by driving the vehicle at a high speed on a motorway for a consistent amount of time. This will cause the DPF to heat up, which burns away the soot and particles that build up in the filter. Setting fire to the filter on the other hand, will remove the filter coating and most likely melt parts of the substrate, restricting flow. Jet washing may remove surface carbon, but DPF Clean Team states that it will not remove any internal carbon or oil contaminants.
Instead, the business is encouraging diesel vehicle owners to seek professional advice as soon as their DPF, catalytic converter or silencer unit becomes blocked, and consider having a professional clean. DPF Clean Team uses ultrasonic technology for a safe and thorough clean of these units, and has a 96% success rate. In addition, a professional clean is almost ten times cheaper than having to pay for a new DPF unit that has been damaged beyond repair through misuse. The business is already working with a number of fleets in the UK to help clean blocked filters, including Leicestershire Metropolitan Police Force, Avis and Europcar.
Cameron Bryce added: "Professional DPF cleaning is a quicker, more accurate, and cost effective solution to unblocking a DPF, catalytic converter or silencer than investing in a new DPF, or risking damage by pouring various substances down it. The process removes all traces of particulate, returning the component back to near new condition. Pouring petrol in the filter, setting it on fire or jet washing it is only going to cause more serious, internal damage and make cleaning and regeneration impossible."
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About DPF Clean Team
Based in Hinckley, Leicestershire, DPF Clean Team has over 15 years' experience in the motor parts reconditioning industry and is one of a handful of companies in the UK to offer a full SCR and DPF cleaning service to independent or franchise garages and commercial fleet and plant operators across the country.
DPF Clean Team has sought worldwide best practice and undergone extensive training to be able to offer its unique DPF cleaning service, developing flow test results in conjunction with University of Nottingham.
The company's process utilises state of the art ultrasonic cleaning technology and is accredited ISO 9001. The six step cleaning system uses powerful non-flammable chemicals available only to specialists.
DPF Clean Team is committed to providing excellent customer service and a cost-effect and legal solution for the trade to offer customers.
For further information, please contact:
John Edden
Bridge PR & Media Services
T: 024 7652 0025
E: john@bridgepr.co.uk